A pioneer of Estonian modernism, Mägi is renowned in his home country for his avantgarde, unique colouristic style and is widely considered the greatest Estonian artist of his generation.
Dulwich Picture Gallery has brought together over 60 works, including enigmatic landscapes and arresting portraits, many of which have never been seen outside of Estonia. It will consider the influence of major European movements upon Mägi’s work, such as Pointillism, Neo-Impressionism and Expressionism, as well as the independent approaches that he took in painting as a largely self-taught artist.
Mägi decided to study at the Stieglitz Art School in St. Petersburg in 1902, during his time he encountered numerous exhibitions, museums and visual art. Following the pivotal period after the Revolution in 1905, many Estonian intellectuals travelled abroad to experience other cultures, a trend inspired by the founding of the Noor-Eesti movement (Young Estonia) and their motto ‘Let us remain Estonians, but let us also become Europeans’. Mägi travelled extensively throughout his life to Norway, France, Italy, Belgium and Finland, and his exposure to European art and ideals had a profound impact upon his paintings.
Throughout his career, Mägi’s work evolved significantly, marked by bold experimentation with brushstrokes, colour, motifs, and perspective. After spending time in Norway between 1908 and 1910, he created a series of Norwegian landscapes that brought him his first artistic recognition. The works from this period reveal his profound connection to the natural world, painted during a challenging chapter in his life.
His portraits, mostly commissioned by wealthy Estonian families, showcase his distinctive use of colour, combined with arresting facial expressions that place his subjects at the centre of the work. Historically overshadowed by his landscapes, this exhibition brings Mägi’s portraiture to the fore, tracing the evolution of his style with artistic influences from Cubism to German Expressionism.
Turning to the Baltic islands following his declining health, Mägi produced a significant body of work during the summers of 1913 and 1914. The exhibition will showcase paintings created in Saaremaa and Vilsandi, representing a breakthrough moment artistically for the artist. These works demonstrate his fascination with the unique botanical species of the landscape including flora, fauna, and the vastness of the sea.
Kathleen Soriano, Curator, said: “Sometimes it is the unfamiliar that gives us pause for thought and that allows us to understand more clearly the interconnectedness of creativity across the world. To be able to consider Mägi in a broader art historical context, and for the first time in a concerted manner in the UK, shows us that there are many more artists out there deserving of attention.”
Dulwich Picture Gallery from 24th March – 12th July.
Booking and full details: dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk
